Machine having rolling pressure device for splined shafts and the like



Feb. 24, 1959 E. D. DAMMERT ETAL 2,374,952

- MACHINE HAVING ROLLING PRESSURE DEVICE FOR SPLINED SHAFTS AND- THE LIKE Filed Feb. 23, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS EARL D. DAMMERT BY WESLEY W. WHITE Qua/QM ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1959 E.ID. DAMMERT ETAL 2,874,952

MACHINE HAVING ROLLING PRESSURE DEVICE, FOR SPLINED SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 23, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. D. DAMMERT ET AL 2,874,952 MACHINE HAVING ROLLING PRESSURE DEVICE Feb. 24, 1959 FOR SPLINED SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 23, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 "Feb. 24, 1959 E. D. DAMMERT ETAL 2,874,952

MACHINE HAVING ROLLING PRESSURE DEVICE FOR SPLINED SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 23, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 k n u u.

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Feb. 24, 1959 E. D. DAMMERT ET AL 2, v MACHINE HAVING ROLLING PRESSURE DEVICE ox SPLINED SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 23, .1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 2,874,952 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 United States Patent Office MACHINE HAVING ROLLING PRESSURE DEVICE FORSPLINED SHAFTS AND THE LIKE Earl D. Dammert and Wesley .W. White,Webster, N. Y., assignors to The Gleason Works, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 23, 1956, Serial No. 567,193

sclaims. c1. 266-6) The present invention relates to machines for treating rod-like workpieces, as for example quenching presses for shank type pinions, splined shafts and the like.

-In machines of the kind referred to, the workpiece is supported on axially spaced centers, and, while being rotated, has pressure applied to it in a generally radially direction at a point intermediate its ends, for the purpose of straightening it and holding it substantially straight while a quenching medium is applied to it. Heretofore the pressure applying device has included two or more rollers which have had rolling engagement with the workpiece during the application of pressure. This has proven satisfactory in instances where the surface of the workpiece engaged by the pressure rollers has been a continuous cylindrical surface, but unsatisfactory in other cases, as for example where the workpiece has been a splined shaft.

This problem has existed for a number of years and various attempts have heretofore been made to solve it by arranging or shaping the pressure rollers so that they will have continuous rolling contact only with the top lands of the splines, all of which lie up on a common cylindrical surface. However none of these attempts has been successful in practice. One serious difficulty has been that during rotation of the workpiece the pressure rollers have ridden over the edges of the splines and mutilated them.

According to the present invention the principle of having rollers engage the workpiece is entirely discarded, and instead a sleeve is provided which encircles the zone of the workpiece to which the pressure is to be applied. The pressure is exerted upon the sleeve which distributes it uniformly over a wide area of the workpiece and therefore does not mutilate the edges of the splines. Means are provided to shift the sleeve axially between an operative position midway along the length of the workpiece and an inoperative position clear of t the workpiece, to enable the latter to be mounted on or removed from the supporting centers. j

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete machine;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a part of the machine, showing the pressure-distributing sleeve and the means for shifting it;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section approximately in the plane designated 33 in Fig. 2;

Pig, 4 is a vertical section in the plane designated 44 in Fig. 3, showing the pressure applying device;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of a loader arm appearing in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the actuating and control unit of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view, in plane 7--7 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 8 is an electrical circuit diagram of the machine.

The machine shown in Fig; 1 is a three unit quenching machine. The three units are essentially alike and operate independently so three workpieces of either the same or different shape can be treated at the same time. The machine comprises a common frame 10 for the three units, each of which may have the features shown in detail in the other figures of drawing. Each unit has upper and lower work-supporting centers 11 and 12 adapted to engage in centering recesses in the end faces of a workpiece W which, in the illustrations, is a splined shaft. The lower center is mounted on a spindle 13 that is freely rotatable on anti-friction bearings 14 in housing sections 15 and 16 which are in effect a part of the frame 10. The upper center 11 is supported by a spindle 17 to which it is keyed for rotation but is permitted limited axial motion. For this purpose a key 18 carried by the spindle engages in keyway 19 of the center, and the center is constantly urged toward its lower limit position in the spindle by a spring 20. The spindle is'rotatable on antifriction bearings 21 in tubular part 22 of a housing 23. This housing is slidable vertically on ways (not shown) on the frame 10 to move the upper center 11 into and out of engagement with the workpiece W. The spindle 17 is rotated by a motor (not shown) mounted on the housing 23; and byreason of the spring 20 pressing the center 11 against the workpiece, the latter rotates as a unit with the spindle.

A door 24 is hinged by a pin 25 to thehousing section 16 and, when closed (the position shown by broken lines 24' in Fig. 3), defines with the housing section a closed quenching chamber for the workpiece. Secured to another hinge pin, 26, is a loader arm 27 that is movable between a loading position in which an operator may load a heated workpiece W, and a transfer position wherein the workpiece is aligned with the upper andlower centers. In Fig. 1 the loaders of the left and center units are respectively in leading position and transfer position. The hinge pin 26 is rotatable and vertically movable with respect to the frame 10 and the upper spindle housing 23, the lower end of the pin resting on a spring (not shown) in the frame. As the spindle housing moves downwardly, it first moves relative to the hinge pin, until its flange 23', Fig.1, engages shoulder 30 of the pin and moves the latter downwardly against the resistance of the spring. The loader has a lower flange 2.8 for seating surface w of the workpiece and a pivotal spring-backed detent 29 for releasably holding the workpiece to the loader when it is there emplaced by the operator. This detent is pivoted to the loader by a pin 31, Figs. 3 and ,5, and is urged against the workpiece by a light spring 32 which acts between the detent and a jaw 33. For more firmly holding the workpiece to the loader, this jaw, which is a camreleased spring-closed jaw, is provided. The jaw is pivoted to the loader 27 by the pin 31 and is urged, clockwise, into engagement with the workpiece by a spring 35. The jaw carries a roller 36 which is engageable with lobes 37 and 38 of a cam 40. The latter is connected by T-block 50 to the housing section 16, for vertical adjustment thereon. The cam arrangement is such that as the loader approaches its loading position the roller rides up on lobe 37 swinging the jaw 33 counterclockwise to release the workpiece. When the loader is in transfer position,

and is moved downwardly by the part 23' ofthespindle housing 23 engaging shoulder 30 of hinge pin 26, the roller rides on the inclined surface of lobe 38 to also swing the jaw counterclockwise and thereby free the workpiece. When the loader is in transfer position and moves upwardly (as the center 11 is withdrawn from the workpiece subsequent to a quenching operation), the roller 36 is lifted clear of lobe 38 allowing the spring 35 to close the jaw on the workpiece. A spring-backed plunger 34 carried by the loader 27 is adapted to abut the housing '16 whenthe loader is in transfer position and serves to take up any-looseness in the'loader operating linkage to be described later.

The device for exerting pressure in a radial direction against the workpiece comprises a pressure plate 39 hinged by a vertical pin *41 to a bracket 42 secured to housing section 16. Forward motion of the plate, i. e. motion clockwise in Fig. 3 about pin 41, is limited by abutment of lug 43 on the plate with a stop 44 on the bracket. Motion of the plate is effected by a piston and cylinder 45, 46, acting through upper and lower toggles. Each toggle comprises a link 47 having a ball type universal pivot connection 48 with the bracket and a link 49 having a like pivot connection 51 with the plate, the links being connected to each other by a pivot pin 52. The piston 45 is connected to this pivot pin of the upper toggle while the cylinder is connected to the corresponding pin of the lower toggle. When air'under pressure is applied through a flexible conduit 53 to the lower cylinder chamber, the piston and cylinder are moved respectively upwards and downwards to straighten the toggles and thereby swing the pressure plate forwardly against stop 44. When air pressure is applied oppositely, i. e. through conduit 54 into the upper cylinder chamber, the piston and cylinder are moved to fold the toggles and thereby retract the plate 39, swinging it counterclockwise in Fig. 3 about pivot pin 41.

On the front of plate 39 is a T-slot 55 along which is adjustable a block 56 and a clamp 57 which is secured to the block by a screw 58. This block, which in prior machines has carried rollers for directly engaging the workpiece W, is now provided with a hardened steel pressure button 59 for engaging a like button 61 on a support 62 for the pressure distributing sleeve 63 of the present invention. This sleeve preferably is proportioned so as to have a loose fit with the workpiece W over which it is to telescope, and the upper and lower ends of its interior surface are flared to facilitate the telescoping action. The sleeve is mounted on an anti-friction bearing 64 for free rotation in the support 62. The latter is secured by a pin 65 to an upright rod 66 whose lower end is guided for vertical motion in a bracket 67 secured to housing section 16 and whose upper end is secured to an arm 68.

Arm 68 is atfixed to the lower end of a piston rod 69 that is slidable in the lower head 71 of a cylinder 72, this cylinder being mounted on the upper spindle housing 23. Piston 73 on the piston rod 69 abuts lower cylinder head 71 to limit the down stroke of the assembly 69, 68, 66, 62, 63, 64, and abuts a button 74 on the upper cylinder head to limit up stroke of the assembly. In the lowermost position of this assembly shown in Fig. 2, the

sleeve 63 encircles a zone of the workpiece W approximately midway between centers 11 and 12, and buttons 59 and 61 are aligned. In the uppermost position of the assembly, the support 62 is in the position indicated by broken lines 62 which means that when the spindle head 23 and the parts supported thereby are raised, to cause center 11 to release the workpiece, the sleeve 63 will be clear of the upper end of the workpiece.

The inherent torsional flexibility of rod 66 allows the sleeve 63 a limited angular motion about the axis of the rod. In order to positively align the sleeve with the centers 11 and 12, so that it can pass over the upper end I 77 which engages the other side of the channel. A pair of springs 78 act between the flange and the shoe to urge these two parts into contact with the channel sides.

The machine preferably is arranged to operate through its cycle automatically. In order that its several funcprovided. One of these is normally-open switch .79, Figs.

2 and 8, mounted on cylinder 72 and having an actuating stem 81 that is engaged by an abutment screw 82 to close the switch when the piston is in its uppermost position, the screw 82 being carried by a bracket on arm 68. The other switch is a normally open switch, 83, mounted on a ring 84 that is secured to housing section 16. This switch has an actuating stem 85 engaged by a conical abutment 86 on arm 68 when the piston and arm are in their lowermost position. Only in this position is the switch 83 closed. As shown in Fig. 7 the ring 84 also carries a plurality of rollers, 87, which'serve to guidingly support the tubular part 22 of spindle head 23 for vertical motion.

The operating and control system for. the machine includes pair of reversing valves 88 and 89, Fig. 8, operated respectively by solenoids'91 and 92, for actuating the cylinder-piston units 72, 73 and 46, 45. When solenoid 91 is energized the valve 88,connects an air pressure line P with a conduit 93 leading to the upper charnber of cylinder 72 andto connect to an exhaust line B to a conduit 94 which leads to the lower chamber of the cylinder. When solenoid 91 is deenergized the valve 88 reverses these connections. Similarly solenoid 92 when energized causes the valve 89 to connect conduit 53 to an air pressure line P and conduit 54 to an exhaust line B; and when deenergized reverses the valve.

Within the frame 10 is a cam bracket 95 in which a shaft 96 is rotatable on anti-friction bearings 97. The shaft carries a drum cam having three cam grooves 98, 99 and 101, and a face cam with cam groove 102. It is rotated by a motor 103 which drives through a flexible couipling' ll tl, shaft 184, and reduction gears 105,106. In cam groove 98 is a follower roller 107 carried by a rod 108 that is connected to a valve (not shown) for controlling the flow of quenching liquid to and from the quenching chamber within housing 16 and closed door 24 in which the workpiece rotates. This liquid is pumped into the chamber from a sump in the lower part of frame 10, the pump being operated by a motor having a controller whose winding is designated 109 in Fig. 8. Whenever this controller is energized the pump motor operates and a contact 109a of the controller is closed.

Cam groove 99 is eflective through cam follower means (not shown) similar to parts 107, 108, to actuate rods 111 and a lever 112, Fig. 3, for opening and closing the door 24; and cam groove 101 is effective through a like cam follower means (not shown) to actuate rods 113 and a lever 114 for swinging the loader arm 27 between its loading and transfer positions. Similarly the cam groove 102 acts through follower roller 115 to reciprocate a rod 116 connected to flange 117 of the spindle housing-23 (see Fig. 2) for raising and lowering this housing.

Also on the shaft 96 are a plurality of small cams 118, 119, 121 and 122 which act through rockers and spring-backed tappets 123, the cams respectively acting to close a normally open switch 124, to reverse twoposition switches 125 and 126 (which are normally in their upper, full-line positions in Fig. 8) and to open a normally closed switch 127.

Other control means include push button type start and stop switches 128 and 129 for the pump motor, start and stop switches 131 and 132 for the machine's quenching cycle, a controller for the cam drive motor 103 which controller has a winding 133, a controller for the motor which drives the upper spindle 17, this controller having its winding designated 134, and a holding circuit relay having a winding 135 and a contact 135a which is closed whenever the relay is energized. The controller winding 134 also actuates a two-position contact 134a, moving it (downwardly in Fig. 8) to the position shown in full lines when energized. There are also two timing tions may occur in proper sequence with operation of 9 piston 73 of the present invention, two limit switches are relays, whose windings are designated 136 and 137, respectively for controlling the duration of the quenching and draining phases of the quenching cycle; and a timing relay whose winding is designated 138 for controlling the length of a hot rolling of the workpiece prior to quenching. These relays open their contacts, respectively 136a, 137a and 138a, immediately upon being deenergized but close them with a time delay, whose length is adjustable, after being energized.

To operate the machine the switch button 128 is momentarily depressed, thereby closing a circuit through controller winding 109 between leads L-1 and L-2 which extend to a suitable source of electrical energy. This starts the quenching liquid pump motor and closes contact 109a so that the circuit is maintained even though switch 128 is now allowed to open. The pump motor can therefore be stopped only by pressing stop switch button 129. After the pump motor is started, a hot workpiece W is placed in the loader 27, the workpiece being lightly held in place by detent 29, and by its lower end w seating on flange 28, and start switch 131 is momentarily closed. This closes a circuit from L-l to L-2 through relay winding 135, causing the contact 135:: to close, and connects lead wire L-1 to lead wire 139.

Cam operated switches 125 and 126 are in their upper positions (in Fig. 8) so that controller 133 is connected between leads 139 and L-2, and causes motor 103 to operate to rotate the cams. Immediately cam 122 allows switch 127 to close, thereby establishing a shunt around start switch 131 so that the latter may now open without effect. Also cam groove 101 is now effective through rods 113 and lever 114 to swing loader 27 to transfer position, aligning the workpiece W with centers 11 and 12. As the loader swings in, roller 36 moves oif of cam lobe 37, Fig. 5, causing jaw 33 to firmly grasp the workpiece. Next the cam track 102 acts through roller 115 and rod 116 to lower the upper spindle housing. As this action takes place, first the upper center 11 is engaged with workpiece and then, as flange 23 engages shoulder 30, Fig. 1, the hinge pin 26 and the loader 27 secured thereto are moved downwardly. This engages the workpiece with the lower center 12 and simultaneously causes roller 36 to ride up on inclined cam lobe 38, Fig.5, so that jaw 33 opens and thus releases the workpiece. Next the cam groove 101 swings the loader 27 back to loading position and cam groove 99 acts through rods 111 and lever 112 to close door 24. Cam 118 closes switch 124, thereby energizing controller winding 134. This starts the spindle motor and so causes the workpiece to be rotated. Closing of switch 124 also energizes the solenoid 91 which operates valve 88 to cause the piston 73 to move downwardly, telescoping the sleeve 63 downwardly over the workpiece into the position, shown in Fig. 4, where buttons 59 and 61 are aligned.

When this position is reached the abutment 86, Fig. 7, closes limit switch 83, and thereby energizes solenoid 92. This causes valve 89 to apply pressure through passage 53 whereupon the piston and cylinder unit 45, 46, straighten the toggle links 47, 49 and thereby swing the plate 39 to its position shown in Fig. 3, in which lug 43 abuts stop 44. The parts are preferably so proportioned that in this position the sleeve 63 would hold the rotating workpiece substantially straight if it were of its normal cold diameter. However, since the workpiece is hot at this time, the preferred proportioning of the parts results in the workpiece being slightly bowed from end to end, which has been found to be conducive to straightness of the finished workpieces.

After the door 24 is closed and very shortly after the spindle motor has started, the cam 119 shifts the switch 125 to its lower position in Fig. 8, thereby closing a circuit between leads 139 and L-2 through time relay winding 138 and opening the circuit of controller winding 133. Accordingly the cam drive motor 103 stops for the period of time for which the relay 138 has been adjusted, and during this time the workpiece is rotated in Next the cam track 98 acts through roller 107 and rod 108 to actuate a valve which directs quenching fluid from the pump into the chamber containing the workpiece.

Shortly thereafter cam 121 shifts switch 126 to its lower position, which again deenergizes controller winding 133, thus stopping the cam drive motor and at the same time establishes a circuit from 139 to L-2 through quench time relay winding 136. Quenching of the rotating workpiece continues until the relay closes its contact 136a which shunts switch 126 and so reenergizes the controller winding 133, restarting motor 103. Cam 121 now returns switch 126 to its upper position, wherein it retains the controller winding 133 energized. Simultane ously contact 136a opens due to deenergization of the quench time relay 136.

Cam track 98 now reverses the quenching fluidvalve, causing the quenching liquid in the work chamber to start to drain back into the sump, and cam 118 opens switch 124. This deenergizes the spindle motor controller winding 134 and the solenoids 91 and 92. Hence rotation of the workpiece ceases and valves 88 and 89 are reversed, valve 89 now causing the piston-cylinder unit 45, 46 to fold the toggles and withdraw pressure plate 39, and valve 88 directing air under pressure into conduit 94 to raise the sleeve 63 to, its uppermost position.

As soon as the spindle motor controller winding 134 is deenergized, the contact 134a is shifted to its upper, dotted-line, position; and shortly thereafter earn 119 again shifts switch to its lower position. This again opens the circuit for controller winding 133, stopping the cam drive motor, and, because of the position of contact 134a,

energizes the drain time, relay winding 137. After the expiration of drain time for which this relay is adjusted, the relays contact 137a closes, reenergizing the cam motor controller provided that the limit switch 79 is closed, this assuring that the sleeve 63 is raised before the workpiece unloading operation can begin.

The motor 103 now rotates the cams to successively cause the following operations: Cam track 99 acts to open the door 24. Cam track 101 swings loader 27 into transfer position and in doing so causes the roller 36 to ride on cam surface 38 and thereby open jaw 33. Cam groove 102 acts toelevate the upper spindle housing 23, and in doing so first allows the loader 27 to rise so that roller 36 clears cam 38, allowing the jaw 33 to close, and so that the workpiece is raised off the lower center 12. Then, as the spindle housing 23 continues to rise, the upper center 11 is lifted. clear of the workpiece. Next the cam groove 101 swings the loader with the workpiece to loading position and in doing so causes the roller 36 to ride on cam lobe 37, thereby opening jaw 33. The workpiece is now lightly in the loader held by detent 29, ready for removal by the operator. Finally the cam 122 opens the switch 127 thereby deenergizing the relay winding so that contact 135:: opens. This disconnects lead 139 from lead L-1,.deenergizing the motor cont-roller winding 133 and automatically ending the quenching cycle. It will be understood that at any time during the cycle the operation may be stopped immediately by manually pressing the stop button switch 132.

Having described the preferred embodiment of our invention and the preferred mode of operation thereof, what we claim is:

1. A quenching press or like machine having a frame, spaced centers on the frame for supporting a rod-like workpiece for rotation, and a device carried by the.

frame for exerting pressure upon a portion of the workpiece intermediate of and substantiallyspaced from the rotation by deflecting said portion radially relative to the supported ends, characterized by means to prevent mutilation of the workpiece by the application of such pressure, said means comprising a protective sleeve arranged to telescope over the workpiece and a means to shift the sleeve between afirst position wherein it is displaced from said device and is disposed beyond one end of the workpiece to allow the latter to be installed or removed, and a second position wherein it is interposed between said device and said portion of the workpiece for transmitting to the latter the pressure exerted by said device, the sleeve being supported for motion relative to the centers in a direction substantially radial of the axis of rotation of the workpiece in response to pressure exerted upon it by said device. I

' 2. Arnachine according to claim 1 further characterized in'that the sleeve, when in the first position, encircles the center that is engageable with said one end of the workpiece. 3. A machine according to claim 1 further characterized by the means to shift-the sleeve comprising a fluid pressureoperated piston movable in a path parallel to said axis of rotation.

4. A machine according to claim 1 further characterized inthat the means to shift the sleeve includes a nonrotatable part movable with the sleeve between said first and second positions, said part supporting the sleeve for rotation and in said second position being adapted for engagement by said device for exerting pressure.

5. "A"machineac'cording to claim 4 further characterized inthat the sleeve is supported in said non-rotatable part on an anti-friction bearing;

6. A machine according to claim 4 further characterized in that said non-rotatable part is pivoted on an axis parallel to said axis of rotation and there is a means to bias said part to a predetermined neutral position about said parallel axis.

7. A quenching press or like machine in which there are spaced centers to support a rod-like workpiece for rotation anda device for exerting pressure, in a direction generally radial of the axis of rotation, upon a portion of the workpiece intermediate of the ends of the latter for straightening or maintaining straightness of the workpiece during such rotation, characterized by means to prevent mutilation of the workpiece by the application of such pressure, said means comprising a protective sleeve arranged to telescope over the workpiece and means t-o'shift' the sleeve between a first'position wherein it is beyond one endof a workpiece, to allow the workpiece to be installed or removed, and a second position wherein it encircles said portion of the work-.

O c: piece for transmitting to said portion the pressure exerted by 'said device, the means to shift the sleeve comprising a non-rotatable'part supporting the sleeve for rotation and movable therewith between said first and. second positions, said part, being adapted for engagement by said device for exerting pressure and being supported for pivotal motion, about an axis parallel to said axis of rotation, upon the application of such pressure thereto, a stationary guideway'paralleling said axes and engageable by a follower portion of said part when the latter is in a predetermined neutral position about its pivot axis, and spring means carried by said part for maintaining said follower portion in contact with the guideway. 8. A quenching press or like machine in which there are spaced centers to support a rod-like workpiece for rotation, means for effecting such rotation, a device for exerting pressure, in a direction generally radial of the axis of rotation, upon a portion of the workpiece intermediateof the ends of the latter, means to actuate said device, a sleeve arranged to telescope over the workpiece and means to shift the sleeve between a first position wherein it is beyond one end of the workpiece and a second position wherein it encircles said portion of the workpiece for distributing to it pressure exerted by said device, a loader movable to carry a workpiece between a transfer position aligned with the centers and a loading position, quenching means to apply a liquid quenching medium to the workpiece, and control means for operating the machine to in sequence (a) move. the loader to carry a workpiece from loading to transfer position, '(b) move the said one of the centers to grip the workpiece, (0) return the loader to loading position, (d) rotate the workpiece, (e) apply pressure to said portion of the workpiece intermediate the ends thereof, (1) apply quenching liquid to the workpiece for a period 1 of time, (g) discontinue the application of pressure, (h)

discontinue rotation of the workpiece, (i) move the loader to transfer position to engage the workpiece, (j) move said one of the centers to release the workpiece, and (k) move the loader to loading position, the control means being arranged to operate said means to shift the sleeve to: (1) shift the sleeve tosaid second position between aforesaid operations (d) and (e), and (2) shift the sleeve to said first position between aforesaid operations (s) and References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 334,538 Muncaster Jan. 19, 1886 1,712,118 Powers May 7, 1929 1,952,239 Dreyer Mar. 27, 1934 2,157,252 Visser et a1 May 9, 1939 2,449,089 Somes Sept. 14, 1948 2,699,412 Adair et a1. Jan. 11, 1955 

